Jon Daniels: This is the Daniels’ first major act since March 1, when he added the title of president of baseball operations to general manager as ownership cut into the authority of chief executive office Nolan Ryan. Did Daniels operate with full autonomy, or did he bring Ryan into the discussions?If Ryan was frozen out, he has another big reason to leave the organization.

HOUSTON — Shortstop Elvis Andrus is staying with the Rangers, possibly well into the next decade.

That means others will be moving, be it positions or teams.

The Rangers have the framework in place for a contract extension with Andrus according to two major league officials. Andrus passed a required physical Monday, and his agent Scott Boras and general manager Jon Daniels continued to work on the language. These are the vital details:

Andrus, 24, would remain with the Rangers at least through the 2018 season, if he exercises an opt-out clause. He could stay as long as through the 2023 season, if Andrus guarantees a vested option. Bet on Andrus to opt out to get a bigger contract at age 30.

The deal would have an annual average value of $15 million. Toronto’s Jose Reyes has the top current deal among shortstops.

The contract recognizes the value of Andrus’ defensive skills. By any metric, he ranks among the top defensive shortstops in the game. His offense has gradually improved, too.

There is more to this than an extension. The deal will have a wide-ranging effect within the Rangers. A look at what it means for:

Jon Daniels

This is the Daniels’ first major act since March 1, when he added the title of president of baseball operations to general manager as ownership cut into the authority of chief executive office Nolan Ryan. Did Daniels operate with full autonomy, or did he bring Ryan into the discussions?

If Ryan was frozen out, he has another big reason to leave the organization.

Ian Kinsler

Kinsler made his eighth consecutive opening game start at second base Sunday. He will be in a different spot next season, when top prospect Jurickson Profar should be major league ready.

Before this season, the Rangers discussed moving Kinsler to first base. The wisdom of that move is debatable. Putting Kinsler at first would not allow him to take full advantage of his defensive range.

The corner-outfield spots are more realistic. As a second baseman, Kinsler ranks in the upper echelon for offense. As a corner outfielder, he would be closer to the average. Since opening day 2010, Kinsler has a .790 OPS. That would rank 35th among qualifying outfielders, .009 behind Baltimore’s Adam Jones.

There is one other possibility: trade Kinsler. His trade value is low now because of last season’s uneven performance and the guaranteed $62 million remaining on the final four years of his deal. The Rangers would have to absorb some of the contract.

Jurickson Profar

Second base is now the future for the club’s top-ranking prospect.

Profar has played shortstop in 276 of his 300 minor league games. An informal spring-training survey of scouts found overwhelming support for Andrus as an overall better defensive shortstop than Profar.

The scouts liked Profar as a second baseman. A National League East scout said Profar “could be another Robbie Alomar,” if he were to focus on second.

A full season with Triple-A Round Rock should prepare Profar for the majors.

Mitch Moreland

The pressure just increased for Moreland.

This is his big chance to take over at first base. If Moreland prospers, the Rangers will be thrilled to go with him. If Moreland struggles, particularly against left-handed pitching, the possibility of Kinsler switching to first base increases despite the drawbacks.

Nelson Cruz-David Murphy

The current corner outfielders can become free agents after this season. Moving Kinsler would make it likely that at least one will not return.

It is about finances. Why pay big bucks to keep a free agent when the club can let him walk to create an opening for a top prospect (Profar) who would play for the major league minimum of $500,000 next season? Even a well-heeled club like the Rangers needs players at the bottom of the payroll scale.

This decision will probably not be made until after the season. What is known is that with Elvis Andrus staying, others will be moving.

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